The Team

El Alamo is the last Estancia acquired by Raymond De Smedt, a retired oil executive and entrepreneur. Having grown up on a farm, Raymond has a family background in farming and beef retailing. He has been investing in farmland in South America since 1974.

Raymond is a keen and passionate advocate of “pushing the envelope” and exploiting new technology and farming methods to expand the production capacity and efficiency of El Alamo.

His daughter, Jasja De Smedt Kotterman, oversees the financial and operational aspects of managing the farm. Jasja has brought a more financially oriented approach to farm management, in order to improve operating efficiency and returns.

Jasja is constantly looking for better ways to improve animal welfare, employee engagement, and better stewardship of the land.

Jorge Deal is the general manager. Jorge manages the day to day operations of the farm. A Uruguayan by birth and soul, he has experience in managing a 20,000 Ha cattle ranch in Argentina, pasture management in a dairy farm in New Zealand, as well as managing several family owned farms in Uruguay. He has been managing El Alamo since 2014. Jorge is also involved in setting up new concepts and technical strategies.

The management team works closely with young, innovative agronomic engineers, who provide technical support for agriculture and cattle management and also provide local training to the team of employees.

El Alamo has a team of 12 dedicated employees, some who live on the property with their families.